Fra Matthew Festing Archives

Knights of Malta vote for new leader after papal dispute

The Knights of Malta have elected Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre with the title of lieutenant of the grand master. He most recently has been the grand prior in charge of the order’s Rome chapter. The election was necessary after the former Grand Master of the order, Fra’ Matthew Festing was forced to resign after a dispute with Pope Francis over the attempted ouster of an official of the order.

Pope meets knights of Malta before order’s contested election

Just a few days before the Knights of Malta convene to elect a new leader, the former head of the order has returned to Rome defying the Vatican’s wishes. The former Grand Master, Matthew Festing, did not say if he would vote for himself, though in a recent plot twist the order confirmed that the new leader would only be temporary.

Knights of Malta asked to elect temporary leader

In an email written by the leadership of the Knights of Malta the members were advised to consider electing a lieutenant who would temporarily take the reins of the order. The order’s relationship with the Vatican has been tough since Pope Francis requested that the grand chancellor resign his post.

Knights of Malta chief says it was Burke who asked official to resign
- Analysis, Vatican
- February 15, 2017
In an interview with an Austrian newspaper, the acting head of the Order of Malta has described being present at the meeting where the Grand Chancellor was asked to resign — and that it was American Cardinal Raymond Burke, not the Grand Master, who made the request.
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Pope encourages Knights of Malta to continue path of renewal
- Catholic News Service, Vatican
- January 30, 2017
By “putting aside personal interests and dangerous ambitions,” members, volunteers and benefactors of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta can better dedicate themselves to the “noble and proven mission” of defending the faith and serving the poor, Pope Francis wrote in a January 27 letter.
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Pope’s takeover of Knights of Malta brings chance for needed reform
- Analysis
- January 29, 2017
Far from being an autocratic intervention in the affairs of a ‘sovereign’ state, the pope’s decision to appoint a delegate to govern the Order of Malta following the resignation of its Grand Master reflects his duty of care to a Catholic organization in need of serious reform. Despite attempts to portray Francis as an autocrat, he’s doing no more than what popes have always done for Catholic groups in similar circumstances.
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